MAGICIANS are happy to share the secrets of their latest vanishing trick.

Southport Magic Circle is moving to new premises at Woodvale Community Centre after its previous meeting place grew too small.

Chairman Rob Graham, who has also been voted the Circle’s Magician of the Year for the first time, is now extending an invitation to other amateur illusionists to join the ranks.

He told the Visiter: “We have a varied age group of members, our eldest is a gentleman in his eighties. between us we have a lot of magic knowledge.

“We would ask that anyone who wants to join us has some prior experience of magic. That doesn’t necessarily mean stage magic, you could perform close-up tricks for your family and friends, or be practising tricks at home.”

Southport Magic Circle was formed in 1985 and members have performed together for local civic societies, shows and pantomimes in the past.

Its members include Paul Callan, a specialist in close-up magic, such as card tricks.

Eddie Williams is the Circle secretary and is a regular sight at local fetes.

Paul Blackwell, as well as Paul Callan, has held the Circle’s Magician of the Year title in the past and is another close-up specialist.

Magic shop owner Rob, who also performs as Oliver Hardy in a Laurel & Hardy tribute act, continued: “It isn’t always about how complicated the trick is. A magician could perform the most complex trick possible, but the audience could be bored to tears by it.

“Alternatively, somebody could perform very basic close-up magic and have the audience absolutely fixated. Personality plays a big part.”

To ensure everyone remains mystified by the tricks the Magic Circle perform, all methods of trickery discussed at meetings must remain within the Woodvale walls.

Rob added: “We have 15 regular members at the moment. The skills people learn may lead them in to performing at magic shows, but it could just be keeping up with magic as a hobby.”